The Niners' revamped offensive line suffered a blow Monday when starting veteran C Eric Hietmann suffered a broken fibula that is expected to keep him sidelined from 6-8 weeks. Heitmann's injury comes two days after head coach Mike Singletary announced that first-round rookie linemen Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati(notes) will definitely begin the regular season as starters at right tackle and left guard, respectively.

There are a host of possibilities to replace Heitmann, who will miss the season opener against division-rival Seattle and possibly a few more games after that. The candidates include sixth-year pro David Baas(notes), who was moved from left guard to center when Singletary announced he would be starting Iupati at left guard; Tony Wragge(notes), who is also entering his sixth year at the pro level; and third-year pro Cody Wallace(notes).